Pieter-Steph du Toit is set to become only the 11th Springbok to reach 100 Test caps, while Ox Nché will earn his 50th appearance for South Africa. Both milestones will add extra significance to a match the Boks desperately want to win after suffering a 33-16 defeat to the All Blacks in Johannesburg last weekend.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has made several changes to his matchday squad, although the starting XV remains largely intact.

Pieter-Steph du Toit. Photo: Morgan Piek

Siya Kolisi has been bracketed with Paul de Villiers at flank, with the former Springbok captain expected to reclaim his place if he comes through training without any issues. Handré Pollard and Cobus Reinach will form the halfback combination, while Ethan Hooker replaces Cheslin Kolbe on the wing after the experienced flyer picked up a niggle in the opening Test.

Hooker’s inclusion means Kurt-Lee Arendse moves across to the right wing, joining Damian Willemse and Damian de Allende in an exciting back three.

Du Toit, meanwhile, retains the captaincy as he prepares to bring up a century of Tests in green and gold.

Should Kolisi take his place in the starting line-up, the Boks will field their most experienced team ever, with a combined 1 012 Test caps between the starting XV.

The replacements also feature plenty of experience, with 39-year-old Deon Fourie returning to the squad. He last represented South Africa in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.

Erasmus has opted for a versatile bench, with Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, Cameron Hanekom and Andre Esterhuizen providing forward cover, while Morné van den Berg and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will add attacking options among the backs.

Ox Nché and Thomas du Toit. Photo: Morgan Piek

The Bok coach said the changes were made with both the physical demands of the match and the team's overall strategy in mind.

“Cheslin and Grant Williams suffered niggles last weekend, which ruled them out of contention for selection, while we have bracketed Siya alongside Paul to allow us time to monitor how Siya comes through training this week,” Erasmus said.

He also highlighted the different qualities offered by his halfback options, with Pollard and Reinach starting before Van den Berg and Feinberg-Mngomezulu potentially bring a change of tempo later in the match.

Handré Pollard will start at flyhalf in the second Test. Photo: Morgan Piek

For Erasmus, the biggest priority is correcting the mistakes that proved costly in Johannesburg. The Boks created several scoring opportunities in the first Test but failed to capitalise, allowing New Zealand to punish them at crucial moments.

“We created so many chances, but mistakes at crucial times cost us.” Erasmus also paid tribute to Du Toit and Nché ahead of their landmark appearances, praising both players for their contributions on and off the field.

Cobus Reinach will start at scrumhalf. Photo: Morgan Piek

While the celebrations will be deserved, the Boks know the focus must remain firmly on the task at hand.

“We know what we have to do to bounce back strongly this week,” Erasmus added. Saturday’s Test at the Cape Town Stadium in Green Point kicks off at 17:10.

Springboks - 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi/Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nché

Replacements - 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 André Esterhuizen, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Morné van den Berg, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

All Blacks - TBA

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg